Apparatus and method for bed rest reading pillow

ABSTRACT

A system and method for a bed rest reading pillow is provided. One embodiment for the bed rest reading pillow comprises a body portion that supports the back of a user in an upright position, a first arm rest extending outwardly from the body portion that is configured to support the arm of the user, a second arm rest extending outwardly from the body portion that is configured to support the arm of the user, a beverage container holder configured to secure a beverage container when placed therein by the user, and a beverage container holder receptacle disposed in the first arm rest and configured to receive the beverage container holder. A beverage container, when inserted into the beverage container holder, is readily accessible by the user.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled, “Memory Foam Bed Rest Reading Pillow With Arm Rests and Integrated Plastic Molded Cup Holders,” having Ser. No. 62/952,627, filed on Dec. 23, 2019, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the arts of bed rest devices that assist a person while resting in their bed, and in particular bed rest reading pillows, a variety legacy bed rest reading pillows are known that are operable to support the back of a user in a substantially upright position while in bed. The person is said to be sitting in a Fowler's position (45° angle) or a semi-Fowler's position. Sonic legacy bed rest reading pillows include outward extending arm rests that the user may rest their arms upon, thereby improving user comfort.

However, with such legacy bed rest reading pillows, the user may encounter difficulties when reaching for beverages that are located nearby. For example, such beverages, or even other physical objects, may be resting on a bedside table, cabinet, or the like. The user must sit upward from their rest position while turning and reaching to enable grasping of the beverage container from the surface of the bedside table, cabinet, or the like. A similar movement is required to return the beverage container or other object to the bedside table, cabinet, or the like.

In the best of situations, this effort is very inconvenient to the user, and is distracting in that the user must turn away from their television to turn, reach and then grasp the beverage container. As another example, the user must stop reading their book or magazine, and likely even place it down on their bed, to turn, reach and then grasp or return the beverage container.

In other situations, where the user is bed ridden nth a sickness or physical injury, the user might not even be able to physically turn, reach and then grasp or return the beverage container that is on the bedside table, cabinet, or the like. Or, at best, such efforts will require an undesirable expenditure of energy on the part of the user, and/or cause the user a substantial amount of pain and/or physical discomfort.

Further, the process of to turning, reaching and then grasping the beverage container crates a risk of spillage, particularly since the user is still in a partially reclining position in the bed and is stretching out of a normal position when reaching for their beverage container. In the event that spillage occurs, the effort to clean up the spillage is undesirable for many reasons. Further, if the beverage is hot, the user might be burned if the spillage occurs onto their person.

Accordingly, there is a need in the arts to eliminate the need for a bed-ridden user to turn, reach and then grasp the beverage container that is on the bedside table, cabinet, or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the bed rest reading pillow provide a system and method for securing a beverage container with a liquid to provide easy and convenient access for the user, and to prevent inadvertent spillage of a beverage that is in the beverage container. An example embodiments of the bed rest reading pillow comprises a body portion that supports the back of a user in an upright position, a first arm rest extending outwardly from the body portion that is configured to support the arm of the user, a second arm rest extending outwardly from the body portion that is configured to support the arm of the user, a beverage container holder configured to secure a beverage container when placed therein by the user, and a beverage container holder receptacle disposed in the first arm rest and configured to receive the beverage container holder. A beverage container, when inserted into the beverage container holder, is readily accessible by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bed rest reading pillow and cup holder.

FIG. 2 is a front view of another embodiment of the bed rest reading pillow and cup holder.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bed rest reading pillow and cup holder with the cup holder inserts removed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example cup holder insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bed rest reading pillow 100. Embodiments of the bed rest reading pillow 100 provides a system and method for providing a safe and convenient place for a bed-ridden user to access a beverage container from one or more beverage container holders 102 disposed in the arm rests 104 of the bed rest reading pillow 100. The beverage container holders may be interchangeably referred to herein as cup holders 102.

The disclosed bed rest reading pillow 100 will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various bed rest reading pillow 100 are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.

“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, elements or method steps not expressly recited.

Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.

“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components.

Embodiments of the bed rest reading. pillow 100 comprise one or more cup holders 102 that are slidably insertable into cup holder receptacles 106 (FIG. 3) in the arm rests 104 that are outwardly protruding from the body portion 108 of the bed rest reading pillow 100. The cup holder receptacles 106 are interchangeably referred to herein as a beverage container holder receptacle 106. In a preferred embodiment, a cup base portion 110 (FIG. 4) of the cup holder 102 is frictionally secured within the cup holder receptacle 106.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the body portion 108 supports the back of the user in an upright position. The first arm rest 104 and the opposing second arm rest 104 extend outwardly from the body portion 108 and are configured to support the arms of the user.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a rim 112 of the cup holder 102, which has an outside diameter 114 that is greater that an inside diameter 116 of the cup base portion 110 (interchangeably referred to herein as a beverage container holder base portion 110). The cup holder rim 112 limits the travel distance that the cup holder 102 will travel into the cup holder receptacle 106, which is an advantage with large heavy cans, bottles or cups that are full of a beverage. Further, the larger diameter 114 of the rim 112 stabilizes the cup holder 102, and therefore stabilizes any can, bottle or cup of beverage, within the cup holder receptacle 106. Additionally, the outside diameter 114 of the rim 112 is sized so as to substantially overlap the second arm rest cover onto the arm rests 104 of the bed rest reading pillow 100, thereby preventing drainage of inadvertent spills into the interior of the cup holder receptacle 106.

In some embodiments, the rim 112 is detachable from the cup base portion 110. In some embodiments, the upper exterior of the rim 112 is decorative, which may be a colored pattern or texture that is applied to the surface of the rim 112. In some embodiments, the rim 112 includes a liquid retaining portion 118 (FIG. 4), such as an upwardly extending ridge, lip or the like, that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rim 112. The liquid retaining portion 118 directs inadvertent spills from the beverage container are the interior of the cup holder 102. When such spillage is directed into the interior of the cup holder 102, the cup holder 102 may be removed for cleaning.

Some embodiments may include an optional handle 120 located at a convenient location on the top of the body 108 of the bed rest reading pillow 100. The user is able to grasp the handle 120 to place and/or orient the bed rest reading pillow 100 on the bed or other surface that the bed rest reading pillow 100 is being used.

Preferably, the cup holder 102 is fabricated of a rigid, substantially rigid, or semi-rigid material so as to retain its shape when in the cup holder receptacle 106 and to secure the can, bottle or cup of beverage. Some embodiments of the cup holder 102 may be semi-flexible to facilitate insertion into and/or removal from the cup holder receptacle 106. In some embodiments, the cup holders 102 may be fabricated using an injection molding machine or the like. Any suitable material may be used, preferably a rubber, plastic or other polymer-based material.

The bed rest reading pillow 100 is fabricated by sewing a plurality of exterior fabric sections together to form the arm rests 104 and body 108 of the bed rest reading pillow 100. Shredded memory foam or the like may then be inserted to fill the interior cavity of the bed rest reading pillow 100. Alternatively, a solid foam core or other solid core material may be used, wherein the arm rests 104 and body 108 of the bed rest reading pillow 100 are fitted around the core. Alternatively, the arm rests 104 and body 108 of the bed rest reading pillow 100 form an airtight cavity that is then filled with a gas or liquid, such as air, water or the like. When pressurized with a gas, the pressurized gas maintains the designed shape of the bed rest reading pillow 100.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell fabric coverings of the arm rests 104 and body 108 of the bed rest reading pillow 100 are made of a soft comfortable fabric, such as, but not limited to, velour. Preferably, the outer shell fabric of the bed rest reading pillow 100 is waterproof, or substantially waterproof, so that spills of the beverage or other materials do not stain or otherwise damage the bed rest reading pillow 100.

The bed rest reading pillow 100 can be of any suitable size, such as large, medium or small, so as to fit any age and/or size of the user. Further, the front of the body 108 of the bed rest reading pillow 100 may be oriented at any desired angle (as measured from vertical) to provide a desired level of comfort and convenience to the user. Further, the length of the arm rests 104 of the bed rest reading pillow 100 may be any desired length to accommodate the resting of the user's arm and to provide room for the cup holder receptacle 106 that is preferably located near the edge (or end) of the arm rest 104. Alternatively, the cup holder receptacles 106 may be placed at any desirable location in the arm rests 104 of the bed rest reading pillow 100.

In some embodiments, a removable outer shell fabric 302. (FIG. 3) for the arm rests 104 and/or a second outer shell fabric 302 for the body 108 may be used to provide additional coverage over the bed rest reading pillow 100. This additional coverage material may be removable for easy cleaning, preferably using a washing machine. In such embodiments, the outside diameter of the cup base portion 110 of the cup holder 102, plus the thickness of the fabric of the outer shell fabric of the second arm rest cover and its receptacle correspond to the inside diameter of the cup holder receptacle 106 so as to provide a snug and secure fit. That is, a first diameter defined by two times the fabric thickness of the outer shell fabric 302 plus two times a thickness of cup holder 102 plus an indie diameter 116 of the cup holder 102 is substantially equal to a diameter of the cup holder receptacle 106 in the arm rest 104 such that the cup holder 102 is snugly secured within the cup holder receptacle 106.

Further, the inserted cup holder 102 further secures the removeable outer shell fabric 302 of the arm rest cover portions over the top of the arm rests 104 of the bed rest reading pillow 100. Additionally, the outside diameter 114 of the rim 112 is sized so as to overlap the removeable arm rest cover 302, thereby facilitating stability of the cup holders 102.

One skilled in the arts appreciates that the cup holder receptacle 106, in a preferred embodiment, is also made of a. fabric material that is sewn onto or otherwise secured to the arm rests of the bed rest reading pillow 100. The fabric of the cup holder receptacle 106 may the same as, or different from, the outer shell fabric used for the outer shell fabric of the arm rests 104. Alternatively, the material of the cup holder receptacle 106 may be a rigid, semirigid or partially rigid molded plastic or other polymer-based material that is sewn, and/or that is secured using an adhesive, to the outer shell fabric of the arm rests 104.

In some embodiments, different sized cup base portions 110 may be used to facilitate different sized beverage containers. Here, an insert sleeve 402 (FIG. 4) may be used to adjust the inside diameter 116 of the cup base portion 110. Alternatively, or additionally, a sleeve 402 may be used about the exterior surface of the cup base portion 110 so that the cup holder 102 and sleeve 402 fit snugly into the cup holder receptacle 106.

Alternatively, or additionally, the cup base portion 110 may have different portions with different diameters. For example, the diameter of lower portion of the cup base portion 110 may be smaller (to hold a beverage can) than the diameter of an upper portion of the cup base portion 110 (to hold a lager glass, cup or the like).

In some embodiments, a height of the cup holders 102 may be different from other cup holders 102. For example, a longer cup holder 102 might be used for taller beverage containers, while a shorter cup holder 102 may be used when short beverage containers are to be secured. Here, the user may select a preferred cup holder 102 based on their particular needs.

In some embodiments, an optional temperature insulating material may be disposed about the interior and/or exterior of the cup base portion 110 of the cup holder 102, and/or the sleeve 402, to maintain a desired initial temperature of the beverage in the beverage container. The insulating material may be included as an integral part of the cup holder 102 and/or the sleeve 402. Alternatively, or additionally, the insulating material may be included within, or secured to, the interior of the cup holder receptacles 106.

In the various embodiments, the cup holders 102 are removable from the cup holder receptacles 106. The cup holders 102 may be optionally configured and sized to fit into cup holder receptacles of a vehicle, such as a car, boat, aircraft or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, cup holders 102 may be optionally configured and sized to fit into cup holder receptacles of other objects, such as chairs, tables, couches or the like.

In some embodiments, the interior of the cup holders 102 may have other shapes than a round cylindrical shape. For example, but not limited to, a square or rectangular shape may be used for securing other objects, such as, but not limited to, cell phones, pencils, pens, notebooks, books, other electronic devices, or the like. Alternatively, or additionally, an insert or the like having another shape may be sized to fit within, and to be secured by, the cup holder 102 when inserted into the cup holder 102.

An unexpected benefit provided by the various embodiments is that the user may safely sit upright in their bed while reading or watching television without having to get up from their resting position to grasp or return a beverage container from or to the bedside table, cabinet, or the like. Here, the user may not be unnecessarily subjected to potential pain that would be otherwise associated with turning and reaching to enable grasping and/or return of the beverage container from or to the surface of the bedside table, cabinet, or the like, particularly if the user is injured and/or is sick with an illness. Further, there is significantly less risk of unintentional beverage spillage since the user does not have to turn and reach to enable grasping and/or return of the beverage container from or to the surface of the bedside table, cabinet, or the like, particularly if the beverage is hot.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the bed rest reading pillow 100 are merely possible examples of implementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Furthermore, the disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein. 

1. A bed rest reading pillow, comprising: a body portion that supports the back of a user in an upright position; a first arm rest extending outwardly from the body portion that is configured to support the arm of the user; a second arm rest extending outwardly from the body portion that is configured to support the arm of the user; a beverage container holder configured to secure a beverage container when placed therein by the user; and a beverage container holder receptacle disposed in the first arm rest and configured to receive the beverage container holder; and an outer shell fabric configured to encase at least the first arm rest, wherein the outer shell fabric includes a fabric beverage container holder receptacle that is configured to fit within the beverage container holder receptacle of the first arm rest, and wherein the outer shell fabric is removable for cleaning.
 2. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 1, wherein the beverage container holder is a first beverage container holder and wherein the beverage container holder receptacle is a first beverage container holder receptacle, and further comprising: a second beverage container holder configured to secure another beverage container when placed therein by the user; and a second beverage container holder receptacle disposed in the second arm rest and configured to receive the second beverage container holder.
 3. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 1, wherein the beverage container holder receptacle is located near an end of the first arm rest,
 4. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of fabric sections that are sewn together to form the body portion, the first arm rest and the second arm rest.
 5. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 4, wherein the plurality of fabric sections are made of a soft velour.
 6. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 4, further comprising: a fill material that is added into a cavity formed by the sewn fabric that forms the body portion, the first arm rest and the second arm rest.
 7. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 4, further comprising: a core, wherein the sewn fabric that forms the body portion, the first arm rest and the second arm rest is fitted around the core.
 8. A bed rest reading pillow, comprising: a body portion that supports the back of a user in an upright position; a first arm rest extending outwardly from the body portion that is configured to support the arm of the user; a second arm rest extending outwardly from the body portion that is configured to support the arm of the user; a beverage container holder configured to secure a beverage container when placed therein by the user; and a beverage container holder receptacle disposed in the first arm rest and configured to receive the beverage container holder, wherein the beverage container holder comprises: a beverage container holder base portion that is sized to snugly fit into the beverage container holder receptacle of the first arm rest; and a rim, wherein a diameter of the rim is greater than a diameter of the beverage container holder base portion, wherein when the beverage container holder is inserted into the beverage container holder receptacle, the rim is operable to limit the distance that the beverage container holder and be inserted into the beverage container holder receptacle, and wherein the rim stabilizes the position of the beverage container holder in the beverage container holder receptacle.
 9. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 8, wherein the rim further comprises: a liquid retaining portion that extends upwardly from an upper surface of the rim, wherein the liquid retaining portion directs inadvertent spills from the beverage container into an interior of the beverage container holder.
 10. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 8, further comprising: an insert sleeve, wherein the insert sleeve fits around an exterior surface of a cup base portion of the beverage container holder, and wherein the beverage container holder and insert sleeve fit snugly into the beverage container holder receptacle.
 11. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 10, wherein the insert sleeve is made of a temperature insulating material so that a beverage in the beverage container maintains an initial temperature.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 1, wherein the outer shell fabric is defined by a fabric thickness, and wherein a first diameter defined by two times the fabric thickness of the outer shell fabric plus two times a thickness of a thickness of the beverage container holder plus an indie diameter of the beverage container holder is substantially equal to a diameter of the beverage container holder receptacle in the first arm rest such that the beverage container holder is snugly secured within the beverage container holder receptacle.
 14. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 1, further comprising: a handle attached to a top portion of the bed rest reading pillow, wherein the handle is grasped by the user so that the user may position and orient the bed rest reading pillow on a bed or other surface.
 15. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 1, wherein the beverage container holder is fabricated from a rigid or substantially rigid polymer-based material.
 16. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 1, wherein the beverage container holder is configured to be secured within a beverage container holder receptacle of a vehicle or other object.
 17. The bed rest reading pillow of claim 10, further comprising: a plurality of beverage container holders each having a different size, wherein each one of the plurality of beverage container holders are configured to secure a beverage container having a different size; and a plurality of insert sleeves, wherein each one of the plurality of insert sleeves are configured to secure a corresponding one of the plurality of beverage container holders having a different size, wherein each of the plurality of insert sleeves fits around an exterior surface of the cup base portion of the corresponding beverage container holder, and wherein each one of the plurality of beverage container holders and the corresponding insert sleeve fit snugly into the beverage container holder receptacle. 